I was recently denied late checkout (initially) but was then granted a 2:00 PM checkout when I escalated the issue to the manager. I was originally given the "we don't have enough housekeeping staff" dodge.

I view the no late checkout issue and the housekeeping only after three days issue as manifestations of the same problem.

At this point in time, I see no lingering, Covid-related justification to downsizing housekeeping staffing. For example, the potential for infection from surface contact has long since been debunked. So, the suggestion that both the housekeeper and the occupant can be protected by limiting the frequency that housekeeping enters a guest room (when the occupant is not there anyway) is blatantly specious.****

If a hotel does not have sufficient housekeeping staff to maintain service standards, I see two possible explanations:

1) The hotel is intentionally cutting customer service in order to maximize profits (expecting that we will put up with this), or
2) The hotel is not willing to pay an hourly wage sufficient to attract adequate staffing.

Either way, the customer comes out on the wrong end of the deal in the form of reduced customer service.
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**** Actually, the only every three days housekeeping could be a risk to the health of the occupant. Consider the potential consequences of food waste left in the trash can for several days, in terms of what that might attract. I am reminded of the roaches that accumulated on a single piece of pastry that I left on the desk overnight in an upper-floor room at a full service Hilton in Houston. When I make a reservation and declare that there will only be one guest, I would prefer that the number of guests remains at one.